When does the 2022 Spanish Super Cup start and which teams are taking part?

The first piece of silverware of the 2021/22 season is up for grabs this month in Spain, with four clubs competing to lift it. The Spanish Super Cup was traditionally played in August but the tournament has undergone numerous changes of format since it was first introduced almost four decades ago. The most recent change was in 2019/20, when the number of participating teams was doubled from two to four. Prior to that, for 35 years, the Supercopa maintained the same format as its predecessor the Copa Eva Duarte, in which the league champions disputed the trophy with the winners of the Copa del Rey.

Super Cup new format

During the last three seasons, the Super Cup has featured the top two finishers in the previous league campaign and the winners and runners-up of the most recent Copa del Rey, playing a final four format. This year’s edition could be the last time the current format is used; the RFEF have yet to confirm how and where next year’s tournament will be staged, although some sources claim that a three-year extension has been agreed for the competition to be held in Saudi Arabia, possibly until 2029. This will be the 38th edition of the tournament.

The four clubs who will scrap it out to win this year’s Spanish Super Cup are Atlético Madrid (2020/21 LaLiga champions), Real Madrid (2020/21 LaLiga runners-up), Barcelona (2020/21 Copa del Rey winners) and Athletic Club (2020/21 Copa del Rey runners-up).

Athletic are the title holders - they beat Barcelona in last year’s tournament to clinch their third title. Barça hold the record for the most titles (13), Real Madrid have 11, while Atleti have won the trophy twice - in 1985 and 2014.

Last year's Super Cup had to be played in Spain due to the pandemic but this year it will return to the Middle East. Clubs must respect travel restrictions in place in the host country. Travellers entering Saudi Arabia must present a valid EU covid passport or evidence of a negative covid-19 diagnostic test (PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to arrival).

2022 Spanish Super Cup venue, dates and times

The first semi-final, between Barcelona and Real Madrid  will be played at the 62,000-seater King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 12 January 2022, kicking off at the local time of 10pm AST. That is 2pm ET (New York), 11am PT (Los Angeles) and 8pm CET for those watching in Spain.

Athletic and Atlético meet in the second semi-final the following day, Thursday 13 January at the same venue and at the same time.

The winners from both semi-finals will come face to face in the final, which will be held at the same stadium, King Abdullah Sports City, on Sunday 16 January 2022. The kick-off time remains unchanged - 2pm ET/11am PT or 8pm in Spain.